1. STARS Creating Assessments
MPS Research & Evaluation

2. Assessment & Item Types Options & Overview
Creating Formative Assessments in STARS
Assessment & Item Types Options & Overview
Explanations & descriptions of the different Assessments and Item Types can be found on the EdTech/STARS webpage at
The EdTech/STARS webpage houses a number of instructional resources.

3. Creating an Item Bank Assessment
You can create an Assessment from the Launchpad or from the Menu Bar

4. Naming Protocol Naming Protocol: Example:
School Year_School_Subject_Grade_Standard or Topic name
Example:
1617_whittier_math_3_3.OA.1_csteiner
Adding your initials or name will help identify the assessments you create

5. Name your assessment, assign a subject, choose a method for assigning students, Save/Next

6. Selecting/Aligning Standard(s)

7. Selecting Standards

8. Choosing Items
The orange box displays the number of items for the standards you have chosen.
Filter the possible Items by using the Show/Hide Filters icon.
Placing a check in the box to the left on the Item Name will include it in your assessment.

9. Show/Hide Filters
Filter items by selecting the criteria from the cogwheel in the upper right.
Select the filters you wish to use and Update.
Selecting each filter will display only the items in the filter. Clicking on the filter again will eliminate the filter items from view.
Click on the filter choice to view items only within that filter.

10. Show/Hide Filters

11. Summary
Summary on the Flow Bar allows viewing of the test in multiple formats.
Update Items Order allows you to move the order should you have too many of the same item type clustered together.
Show Item Totals provides a chart with the total of items in each of the criteria; standard, DOK, item type, etc.
Online preview gives a view of what students will view.
Test Booklet generates a draft of the paper/pencil version.
Summary displays a draft of the teacher version of the test.

12. Performance Level…
The easiest way to add a Performance Level is to Load from Available Templates.
When setting up your own Performance Level you must set the levels with the lowest level on top and the highest on the bottom. Start from the bottom and move upward
Choose Percentage or Cut points; this determines if you enter your criteria as a percentage or possible points.

13. Adding Your Own Performance Level…
Select Add Performance Level for the amount of descriptors and scores you wish to include in the performance level.
Enter your abbreviation, name descriptor, and select which descriptor will be designated proficient.
Enter the percentage (or cut points) starting from the bottom of the grid.

14. Setup
Create an administration window by selecting the testing window dates - select Apply.
Adjust the Online Settings before Publishing.

15. Online Settings
When your assessment is complete, select save and close or Publish

16. Where do I find the test I just created?

17. MPS Research & Evaluation stars@mpsaz.org
Thank-you!
MPS Research & Evaluation